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Crispy Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

A close-up stack of crispy, golden brown Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks on a white plate, catching bright sunlight.
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Make crispy mozzarella sticks in the air fryer with minimal oil. This recipe works well for both frozen and homemade sticks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound frozen mozzarella sticks OR 1 pound string cheese, cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Cooking spray

Instructions

  1. If using homemade cheese, place the cheese pieces in the freezer for at least 1 hour to firm up. This helps prevent leakage.
  2. Set up a standard breading station with three shallow dishes. Place flour in the first dish. Whisk the eggs in the second dish. Mix the Panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and oregano in the third dish.
  3. For frozen sticks, skip to step 5. For homemade cheese, dredge each piece first in flour, shaking off excess. Dip it into the egg wash, allowing excess to drip off. Finally, press firmly into the breadcrumb mixture until fully coated.
  4. Place the breaded sticks on a parchment-lined tray and freeze for 15 minutes to set the coating.
  5. Preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit (195 degrees Celsius).
  6. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
  7. Arrange the mozzarella sticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not overlap. Work in batches if necessary.
  8. Lightly spray the tops of the sticks with cooking spray.
  9. Air fry for 6 to 8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the coating is golden brown and crispy. Cooking time may vary based on your air fryer model and whether the sticks were frozen or fresh.
  10. Remove immediately and serve hot with marinara sauce for dipping.

Notes

  • For best results with homemade cheese, double-dip the sticks in the egg wash and breadcrumbs for a thicker crust.
  • If you notice cheese starting to ooze out during cooking, remove those sticks immediately.
  • Serve with warm marinara sauce or ranch dressing.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookerykings.com/air-fryer-mozzarella-sticks-recipe/